Romeo wants to participate in the pole climbing competition, in which several boys compete to get a trophy placed on top of a pole. Meanwhile, Luini, a mysterious man known as the god of death, arrives in the village.

The fire started by Luini devastates the only cornfield that Romeo's family has left. Romeo's family rush to the field to try to save the domestic animals, but Roberto injures his head while leaping out of the flames.

Due to the injures suffered during the fire, Roberto's condition worsens to the point of going blind if he is not treated urgently.

After being treated by doctor Baresi, Roberto will recover and will not go blind. Romeo has sacrificed himself for the sake of his family and must now leave the village.

Luini locks up the boys before crossing the lake by boat to get to Milan. Among them is Dante, who devises a plan to escape.

The boat in which Romeo and the others are traveling to Milan is hit by a storm and sinks.

In Milan, Romeo and Alfredo are sold as chimney sweeps to different bosses, having to separate, but not before swearing eternal friendship. Romeo is taken by Rossi, his buyer, to his house, where he will start a new life.

Cleaning chimneys is harder than Romeo could imagine. And worst of all is that when he comes home tired from work he doesn't get a piece of bread. However, an angel who lives in the house cares for him.

Romeo goes to clean Professor Casella's fireplace who, to thank him, gives him an illustrated book.

Romeo manages to get the key which keeps his door locked, so he can go out to meet Angeletta, becoming friends.

Romeo watches from the rooftop of a house that one of the Wolf Pack members is ambushed by another gang of boys, but then the rest of the pack appears and a fight breaks out.

Romeo finds Anselmo lying on the street and covered in bruises. Anselmo tells Romeo that he confronted Tachioni because he hates outsiders and wants to kick Romeo out of town.

Romeo fights the Wolf Pack, who think he has denounced them to the police, but is saved at the last minute by a masked boy.

The carriage Romeo has sneaked into contains explosives that the robbers intend to use to blow up the police station and free their imprisoned friend.

After proving his innocence, Romeo's conditions at Rossis' house get better. Marcello gives him a day off and Romeo decides to search for Alfredo in the streets of Milan.

After a long time, Romeo and Alfredo finally reunited and joined other young chimney sweeps to form the Black Brothers fraternity with Alfredo in command to confront the Wolf Pack.

Since the Wolf Pack has no intention of stopping picking on the chimney sweeps, the Black Brothers, fed up with running away, decide to stand up to them.

As retaliation for losing the fight at San Babila church, Michaelo was kidnapped by the Wolf Pack.

Marcello Rossi receives a letter from his mother, Mimi, announcing she will pay them a visit soon.

Romeo and Angeletta meet the old puppeteer Teo and little Nana.

Matteo tells the boys the story of Marcello Rossi and Angeletta: a countess named Isabella is the girl's grandmother.

Angeletta's greatest wish is to meet her grandmother, the Countess Isabella Montovani, before her serious illness progresses.

Angeletta's condition is deteriorating rapidly. The so-called Ice Queen Montovani wants nothing to do with her granddaughter.

In Milan, a wedding of the nobility is taking place and all rich and noble people of the area are invited. Even the king of Italy is expected to come.

Alfredo and Bianca are still on the run from their relatives. Their aunt and uncle want the badge that Alfredo hid. This badge was bestowed on Alfredo's father by Carlo Alberto, the father of the current Italian king, and legitimizes the Martini's fortune.

Professor Casella discovers that Alfredo's illness is worse than initially thought. Alfredo also knows that he will not live much longer.

Alfredo wants to restore his honor before the King of Italy and accuse his aunt and uncle of murdering his parents. Unfortunately, the Wolf Pack lure him into a trap and lock him in the sewers.

Alfredo and Bianca are still trying to show in front of the King of Italy and expose the damage that has been done to their family.

The big moment is here! Alfredo and his uncle Maurizio stand before the king of Italy. Both have badges in their hands, but only one belongs to the Martinis.

Romeo suffers greatly from the sudden death of his friend Alfredo. He sinks into a deep sadness and distances himself more and more from reality.

The circus is coming to town. The Black Brothers want to see it, but they only have enough money for a ticket.

While working one day, Romeo falls from a chimney and breaks his leg. Professor Casella agrees to have him at his place until his leg heals.

Spring has fallen and Romeo's contract with Maestro Rossi is over. It is time for Romeo to say goodbye to Milan and return home in Sonogno.